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Debs v. United States
Eugene Debs delivered a public speech that incited his audience to interfere with military recruitment during World War I. He was indicted for violating the Espionage Act of 1917 for allegedly attempting to cause insubordination and refusal of duty in the US military. In a unanimous opinion by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, the Court upheld Debs’s conviction. -
Gitlow v. New York
Gitlow, a socialist, was arrested in 1919 for distributing a “Left Wing Manifesto" that called for the establishment of socialism through strikes and class action of any form. In an opinion authored by Justice Edward Sanford, the Court concluded that New York could prohibit advocating violent efforts to overthrow the government under the Criminal Anarchy Law. -
Bethel School District v. Fraser
During a school assembly, a high school student came and gave a speech to nominate another student for government office he then in the speech used explicit graphic sexual metaphors repeatedly during the speech he was then suspended and sued the school for freedom of speech but did not win. -
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
Three public school students wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. They were suspended from school for refusing to remove them. It was then taken to the supreme court where they won through the which was when the tinker test was established. -
Cohen v. California
A 19-year-old department store worker expressed his opposition to the Vietnam War by wearing a jacket emblazoned with "FUCK THE DRAFT. STOP THE WAR" The young man, Paul Cohen, was charged under a California statute that prohibits "maliciously and willfully disturb[ing] the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or person [by] offensive conduct." He won because there is no evidence of people being provoked. -
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
A public school principal took two newspaper articles that they felt were inappropriate on teen pregnancy and divorce the students then went on to try to sue the school but did not win because Public schools can regulate, with some limitations, the content of student newspapers and other publications that are paid for by the school and bear its name. -
Morse v. Frederick
A public school student was suspended for displaying a banner promoting drug use at a school event. Joseph Frederick, with the help of others, held up a 14-foot banner that read: “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS.” The student then sued the school for violation of rights then lost the case due to how schools can regulate speech that conflicts with school anti-drug policies, or similar school policies. -
United States v. Alvarez
The Court held that the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime to lie about having received military honors or decorations, violates the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. It was ruled unconstitutional but Alveres still had jail time due to "uncircumstantial matters". -
Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky
The Court struck down a law prohibiting individuals from wearing political apparel at or near polling places. A complete ban on all political speech, absent any limiting principle, is unconstitutional, regardless of the location in which such speech has been banned. -
Masterpiece Cake shop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
The Court’s ruling had the effect of permitting a baker to refuse to make a cake for a gay wedding, but only because the Colorado Civil Rights Commission seemed hostile towards religion. The cake company won because of the owners of public accommodations can refuse certain services based on the First Amendment claims of free speech and free exercise of religion.
